From left to right, Jared Blumenfeld, regional administrator with the United States Environmental Protection Agency for Region 9, Mick Wasco, installation energy manager, Lt. Col. Jon Davenport, director of Installations and Logistics, Susan Vanwinkle, remedial project manager, and Mike Corona, director of waste management, all with Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, pose with awards during the Federal Regional Council San Meeting in San Diego, Aug. 7. The EPA honored Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., along with Naval Base Coronado, Calif., and a Drug Enforcement Agency laboratory with the Federal Green Challenge Award for their efforts in conservation.

Photo by Cpl. Christopher Johns

Award winning waste reduction to continue aboard MCAS Miramar

8 Aug 2014 | Cpl. Christopher Johns Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

SAN DIEGO -- Air Station personnel responsible for reducing solid waste aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., earned a Federal Green Challenge Award for exceeding expectations in reducing solid waste by 10 percent, Aug. 7.

The award, presented during the Federal Regional Council Meeting in San Diego, symbolized the air station meeting one goal which was to reduce waste. As the air station aims to continue this trend in waste reduction, they can’t do it alone.

“I just want to emphasize that we cannot accomplish our goals if we do not have the active participation of all personnel that work or reside on Miramar,” said Mike Corona, director of waste management aboard the air station. “This is their award. The more they recycle, the more the installation and all its tenants benefit.”

Some of these benefits included $20,000 for morale, welfare and recreational activities to Marine Corps Community Services from recycling center revenues.

The air station increased recyclables from approximately 1,470 tons in 2012 to 1,911 tons this year, a 30 percent increase that significantly exceeded its goal to increase recycling by 10 percent. Solid waste disposal to the landfill was also reduced by more than 22 percent, from approximately 5,194 tons in 2012 to 4,242 tons this year. This exceeded the established goal to decrease solid waste by 10 percent.

To achieve these goals, air station personnel instituted a single stream recycling program by placing white dumpsters from a private vendor throughout the air station for personnel to throw their recycling into without having to separate it.

Waste management personnel also made use of electronic marquees and banners around the air station to advertise the recycling center and initiatives. Throughout the year, the center held collection events for e-waste and recycling, while simultaneously reaching out to the Child Development Center and Youth and Teen Center to help educate youth about the importance of recycling.

This is not the end of the air station’s efforts to reduce its footprint in the San Diego community as far as solid waste is concerned – it’s only the beginning.